Just wondering where blade length is measured from on a knife. Is it the actual sharpened area of the blade or is it the actual metal length from tip end to hinge end.

Huck

January 23rd, 2006, 12:16 PM

ExSoldier

On a folder it's measured from the tip to the hinge end. Having worked airport security in the past I can tell you most screeners use the palm of the hand as a standard of measure. If the blade is smaller than the screeners palm then it's okay to go on board. If not it gets checked. Box Cutters just recently returned to the "okay to fly" lists.

January 23rd, 2006, 01:32 PM

RSSZ

Streight blade is measured from the point to the hilt. Doesn't matter weather it's sharpened or not. Although I never could understand why the heck someone would want a blade that is half sharp. It's double edged for me !! --------

January 23rd, 2006, 01:44 PM

Euclidean

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSSZ

Although I never could understand why the heck someone would want a blade that is half sharp.

Double edged knives will always be more fragile, harder to use for many tasks, harder to sharpen, etc.

I avoid them personally to avoid any possible conflict with Texas laws, but even if not for that I doubt I'd carry one. A design with a sharpened false edge (the second edge doesn't go all the way down the blade) seems like a good compromise if you need a pig sticker.

January 23rd, 2006, 05:47 PM

RSSZ

Sorry Euc,should have mentioned that my blade is carried so it can be used before or after my Kimber. The blade is (I think) strong enough to penetrate an eye socket,front of the neck, or kidneys, clavical artery or brachial artery. I do not use my carry blade for striping wire,opening birthday presents,coring apples, cleaning my fingernails or caping animals.
I do not carry a blade so I will be able to loan it to anybody or so they can"see it".
My blade is carried just as concealed as my firearm and I treat it (like my firearm)as a CONCEALED WEAPON. -------

January 23rd, 2006, 06:22 PM

Euclidean

But even at that RSSZ some of the greatest fighting blades in history have been single edged, such as the Bowie knife.

To be sure the double edged knife has its inherent advantages too, but it's not a clear cut (pun intended) case of "This one is better than the other!". Personal proficiency counts for a lot more than the design of the knife. It should also be pointed out certain martial arts styles tend to lend itself to a double edged blade.

It is worth remarking that if a knife is solely dedicated to personal protection, then a lot of bets are off. A lot of things don't matter that otherwise would. It depends on the person and their needs if a particular design is any good or not.

I'm just playing the devil's advocate. There's a use for everything.

January 23rd, 2006, 07:19 PM

QKShooter

Just Curious

Is the way specific Blade Length is legally measured standard nationwide...or does the measuring criteria differ from State to State?
In other words...could the same knife be considered to have a longer blade in one State than another?
My best guess is that at whatever distance down from the point...the blade would STOP penetrating ~ would be the actual length of the blade.

January 25th, 2006, 07:37 AM

RSSZ

Bowie Knife, one of the "greatest fighting blades in history"?
IMO, no way ~ no how. How many men carried a TRUE Bowie??
The ones that did, what was it used for?? As the very last resort,fightin' knife.
There are some great single edged knives out there, but not as (strictly) fighters.
If I could only carry one blade, and it had to chop wood, hammer/beat/pound stuff, process a whole buffalo (including breaking the bones), and the other daily chores that the men of the old west had to do, I would probably carry a Bowie also.
There are some great single edged blades out there that are considered fighters.
The old style Randall fighter comes to mind.
The Randall that I chose was the Mod 14 Attack. It had a well sharpened 1/3 back edge. It was thick, heavy, very well made, and tough as nails.
The knife is 38 years old and is still the blade that I would choose to go into battle with.
It was my "Bowie Knife". The one knife that did it all.
Those of you out there that carry the folders, them little box cutters/Xacto Knives, and the other little cutting implements, are carrying you own version of the Bowie knife.
You're carrying a blade to be pulled/used in your daily activities. A blade that will do everything that you want it to do.
But, seriously,think about it, if you knew that you were gonna be drawn into a KNIFE FIGHT today, would you choose to be caught holding a "box cutter"???
Some of you carry 2 or 3 guns and 50 rds of ammo but will be content to carry a 2-3 inch single edged blade. (Actually,thinkin' on it,maybe that's why you carry them "box cutters")
I understand that your local laws dictate what some of you can carry.
This is not to be critical of the means/methods that you have chosen for you and your families self defense.
As I do, carry what you feel that you will need to do the best that you can, to defend yourself and your family.
After all, when the real SHTF, you don't want to be left standing there with your ____ in your hand. ------

January 25th, 2006, 08:29 AM

KenpoTex

Just to throw something into the mix...

Many "Bowie" knives, including those of the design that Bowie himself was said to have carried, had at least a portion of the back edge sharpened. For an example, see the Laredo Bowie. This enabled the user to use "back-cut" techniques. Incidently, from what I've read, Col. Bowie was known to favor the back-cut.

As far as the design for a carry knife...for utility I carry a folder. Granted, I choose my folding knives based on their suitability for use as a weapon if needed. When it comes to fixed blades that are carried specifically as a weapon, IMO, double-edged is the way to go (yeah, I know there are different laws everywhere, I'm just talking about what I consider ideal). Single-edged knives are fine if that's what you got, I just feel that the double-edge is more versatile.

January 25th, 2006, 10:27 AM

RSSZ

KPT, Your absolutely right ref. the back cut.(although I call it something else) During training/sparing with my buddies wearing our black long sleve shirts,and using a training knife with chalked double edged blade,we get"cut" more that you can imagine. After an encounter with our pardner, our forearms,back of the hands,tricep areas,and thigh area has more white marks that we care to admit or make excuses for. But chalk don't lie. With a good double edged blade and some training in the art of the back cut(slash),fightin' a street punk would be almost too easy. The blood flowing from his forearms and the loss of mobility would quickly drain him of his resolve. Of course this is not a given so..........train hard,fight easy. ------

January 25th, 2006, 10:41 AM

Tangle

Quote:

Originally Posted by QKShooter

Is the way specific Blade Length is legally measured standard nationwide...or does the measuring criteria differ from State to State?
In other words...could the same knife be considered to have a longer blade in one State than another?
My best guess is that at whatever distance down from the point...the blade would STOP penetrating ~ would be the actual length of the blade.

QK,
I wondered about that myself. I happened to have my Spyderco Native and Emerson Mini-Commander on me today so I checked the websites to see what the manufacturers said their blade lengths were in their specs.

The blade lengths were spec'd at: Native - 3-1/8" and the Mini-Commander at 3.4". I measured the Native from tip to the grip edge and got 3-1/16" - that's pretty close. I measured the Mini-Commander the same way and it was 3-5/16" (3.313") instead of 3.4" (I wonder if the point 4 is really .375" rounded up). That wasn't as close but just over a 1/16" difference. Measuring from the tip of the blade to the center of the hinge point is much different than the specs.

So, it would appear that at least Spyderco and Emerson measure from tip to edge of the grip.

Sorry for any confusion - I had to edit this a lot.

January 25th, 2006, 11:48 AM

P95Carry

Strikes me the key aspect is ''effective'' blade length - which would be tip to handle grip - at least that seems the logical approach.

That said - look at barrel measurements for semi's - it includes chamber!! That for me is not an accurate representation - when from my POV, the true length, is length travelled by bullet!!!

January 25th, 2006, 12:05 PM

Tangle

Quote:

Originally Posted by P95Carry

Strikes me the key aspect is ''effective'' blade length - which would be tip to handle grip - at least that seems the logical approach.

That said - look at barrel measurements for semi's - it includes chamber!! That for me is not an accurate representation - when from my POV, the true length, is length travelled by bullet!!!

That's always bothered me as well. A revolver bbl. is measured from forcing cone to muzzle, IIRC, which is closer but not truly the distance traveled by the bullet.